Photographic camera



Feb. 2, 1965 J. G. PADELT ETAL PHoToGRAPHc CAMERA 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed May 5, 1957 vtm@ ,fh --..-.f

INVENTORJ'. JOHANNES G PDELT f' AND ARTHUR HURLBURT mmv Ew# kfw Tm. um nw Il 1|..- mmvznunmlh EQM 1 l l l l l 1 x l Feb. 2, 1965 J. G. PADELTETAL PHOTOGRAPHIE() CAMERA Original Filed May 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS. JOHANNES G. PADELT WRTHUR FHURLHURT UnitedStates Patent O3,168,025 PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Johannes G. Padelt, Rochester, and ArthurF. Hurlburt, Fairport, N.Y., assignors to Grallex, Inc., Rochester,N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application May 3, 1957, Ser.No. 656,830, now Patent No. 3,039,441, dated June 19, 1962. Divided andthis application May 8, 1962, Ser. No. 193,185

16 Claims. (Cl. 95--31) The present invention relates to photographiccameras, and more particularly to the film-transporting andshuttercocking mechanisms for photographic cameras. In a still morespecific aspect the invention relates to film-transporting andshutter-cocking mechanism for so-called miniature or candid cameras.This application is a division of our pending application Serial No.656,830, led May 3, 1957, now Patent No. 3,039,441, granted June 19,1962.

In conventional cameras for taking still pictures, the film istransported or advanced by manually rotating a take-up spool after eachpicture, to move the exposed film out of, and to move unexposed filminto, the exposure area lof the camera. Frequently it is aninconvenience to have to rotate the take-up spool manually; andsometimes movement of the film is overlooked, so that a double exposureoccurs.

One object of the present invention is to provide a photographic camerahaving means for automatically transporting the film after eachexposure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera having means forautomatically cocking the shutter after each exposure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera in which the samepower means actuates both the film transport mechanism and theshutter-cocking mechanism f automatically after each exposure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera capable ofeffecting a plurality of exposures in rapid succession.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera i* of thecharacter described in which the shutter will go through its fullexposure cycle before the mechanism starts to advance the lm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera of the characterdescribed in which the film-transport mechanism will not operate untilthe shutter has completed its cycle, regardless of the length ofexposure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filmtransport unit for acamera that is powered by means of compressed air, or any other suitablecompressed gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera of the characterdescribed in which the film-transport mechanism and/or the shuttercocking mechanism are fluid-pressure actuated from a gas cylindercontained within the camera and holding a suicient supply of compressedactuating gas to effect any desired number of exposures, for instance,two hundred or more, without relling or renewal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a camera of thecharacter described in which the actuating gas is supplied from aremovable cartridge or bulb that can be replaced in a few seconds by anew cartridge or bulb when its compressed gas supply is exhausted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a camera of thecharacter described a power unit that will be light in weight, compact,simple and efficient in operation, and one which needs only to betripped to perform its cycle.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and from the recital of the appended claims.

3,168,025 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 In the drawings:

FIG. l is a view looking from the rear and with the rea cover of thecamera removed, and showing a power unit constructed according to oneembodiment of the present invention connected to actuate thefilm-transport mechanism and the shutter cocking mechanism of thecamera, the camera casing and parts of the shutter-tripping, thefilm-transport and the shutter-cocking mechanisms being shown in dottedlines, and the container, which houses the gas cartridge, being shown insection;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the power unit, parts thereof being brokenaway and shown in section, and the piston, which actuates thefilm-transport and shutter-cocking mechanisms being shown at the end ofits return stroke;

FIG. 3 is a similar View but with the piston at the end of its powerstroke;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view of the unit looking from the right inFIG. 1, parts being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the two bell cranks and the slidewhich moves the valve mechanism in one direction, fragmentarily, thebell cranks being shown in a position intermediate the positions ofFIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view further illustrating the relation ofthe bell crank levers, they being shown in a position corresponding tothe position of FIG. 1.

The invention is illustrated as employed in a camera using perforatedfilm, and a toothed sprocket for metering the amount of film transportedon each cycle.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, thepower unit for transporting the film and for cocking the shuttercomprises a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder and that is connectedthrough rack and gearing, and a one-way clutch to the transport andmetering sprocket, so as to drive the sprocket on movement of the pistonin one direction on its power stroke. The sprocket is geared to thetake-up spool of the camera through a friction clutch and is connectedto the shutter cocking mechanism so that when the sprocket is driven,the shutter will be cocked, and the take-up spool will be rotated totake up the film.

The piston is driven on its power stroke by a compressed gas supplied toone end of the cylinder from a small, replaceable bulb or cartridge thatis removably stored in the camera. The gas is exhausted to atmospherefrom this one end of the cylinder for the return stroke of the piston.The piston is driven on its return stroke by a spring that is cocked onthe power stroke of the piston.

The movement of the piston iscontrolled by a reciprocable valve that isconstantly urged by a spring and gas pressure toward closed position, toshut off flow of the gas from the cartridge to the cylinder. This valveis opened against resistance of its spring and gas pressure by movementof an axially-aligned, axially-reciprocable valve rod, that is alsoconstantly pressed by a spring in the direction to permit closure` ofthe valve.

A bell-crank is provided to move the valve rod in the direction to openthe valve. The valve rod is iixedly secured to a slide. This slide has anotch in one end. Normally the bell-crank is disposed at one side of theslide and out of registry with this notch. A release rod is provided,which, when pressed downwardly, trips the camera shutter to effectpicture taking, and swings the bell-crank in one direction about itspivot until one arm registers with the notch. Then a spring, that iscoiled about the pivot stud of the bell-crank, snaps this arm of thebell-crank into the notch.

The release rod is released as soon as the picture has been taken. Thispermits the spring to rock the bell crank in the opposite directionthereby forcing the valve rod to valve-opening position against theresistance of the gas 3 pressure and of the spring which is associatedwith the valve and valve rod.

The valve rod is so constructed that when it opens the valve itsimultaneously closes off exhaust of gas from the cylinder toatmosphere. As soon as the valve is opened, the compressed gas ows fromthe bulb or cartridge into the cylinder to effect the power stroke ofthe piston, transporting the film and cocking the shutter. At the end ofthe power stroke, the piston rocks a second bell-crank which kicks therst bell-crank out of its notch. This releases the valve rod, permittingthe valve spring and gas pressure to reclose the valve, and return thevalve rod to its normal position. This shuts off flow of the gas to thecylinder, and opens the cylinder to atmosphere so that the gas isexhausted from the cylinder. Then the piston spring, which was cocked onthe power stroke of the piston, eiieets the idle return stroke of thepiston. The parts are now in rest position, ready for the nextpicture-taking cycle.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, 11 denotes the casing of thecamera, 12 its manually-rotatable rewind knob, and 13 the knob formanually rotating the film take-up spool in an emergency. The knob 13 ismounted in the casing 11 to be depressible against resistance of aspring (not shown), in order to engage the male coupling member 15,which is connected to knob 13, with a female coupling member 17 which issecured to a gear 19. The gear 19 is connected by a conventionalfriction clutch 33 with the take-up spool 35 of the camera. This spoolis rotatably mounted in conventional manner in the camera casing 11.

The automatic film transporting mechanism of the present invention isillustrated in the `drawings in connection with a camera using filmwhich has perforations along its opposite lateral edges. The lm isadapted to be advanced from the film cartridge 30 by rotation of a feedsprocket 31, which operates to meter the amount of iilm advanced eachtime the film transport mechanism is actuated. The sprocket 31 isprovided with two axially-spaced sets `of circumferential,uniformly-spaced teeth 41 adjacent its upper and lower ends,respectively, to engage the perforations in the lm, to feed the lm onrotation of the sprocket. The sprocket is geared to the take-up spool 35by meshing gears 43, 19 and the yfriction clutch 33. Gear 43 is securedto the upper end of the spindle 45 to which the sprocket is fastened.

The spindle 45 is connected in any suitable or conventional manner withthe shutter cooking mechanism of the camera, sogas to cock the shutterwhen the film is transported. This connection may comprise a spur pinion47 .that is secured to the shaft or spindle 45, and a rack bar 53reciprocable longitudinally in the casing and having racks 55 and 57 atopposite ends. Rack 55 meshes with Ithe pinion 47; and rack 57 mesheswith a spur gear 59 that drives the coking ring or other shutter cockingmechanism (not shown) of the camera.

51 denotes the opening in the front of the camera casing for theobjective lens mount of the camera; and 63, 63 denote the Windows of thecombined viewnder, rangender system ofthe camera.

Provided within the camera casing is a container or storage compartmentfor a conventional cartridge 16 containing compressed air or other gas,such as carbon dioxide.

The compartment 10 is closed at its bottom by a piercing and sealingmember 20, which is generally cup-shaped, and which has a skirt portion24 that surrounds the neck of the gas cylinder 16, but is spacedradially therefrom. This skirt portion has a peripheral groove 25 inwhich is mounted an O-ring 22. The member 20 has a prong 65 which isdisposed centrally of the lbottom thereof to project upwardly when thesealing member is in place. This prong is adapted to pierce the cover 29of the cartridge 16 to permit escape of the compressed gas from thecartridge. The sealing member 20 is held n position 4 by a nut 18 thatthreads into the bottom of the compartment 19. A kerf 101 is provided inthe bottom of this nut to receive a coin, or screwdriver or other toolfor rotating the nut 18.

The housing or compartment 10 is formed adjacent its lower end with alaterally extending portion 26. Secured to this portion 26 by means ofscrews 38 is a bracket 37, which is reversely bent upon itself along onelateral edge, as denoted at 39, to provide spaced parallel bearingportions, the purpose of which will be described later.

Mounted in the laterally-extending portion 26 of the housing 1d toproject laterally beyond the end 28 thereof is an open-ended tube 42,constituting a cylinder, in which there is reciprocably mounted a piston46. This piston has a peripheral groove in -it adjacent its inner end inwhich is mounted a rubber sealing quad-ring 93. The piston is providedalong one side with rack teeth 94 which mesh 4with the teeth of a spurgear 99, that is journaled at opposite ends in the spaced parallelbearing portions 39 of the bracket 37. The gear 99, in turn, meshes witha spur pinion 100 that is integral with a one-Way coupling member 27(FlG. l) through which it is connected with the lm transport andmetering sprocket 31. Thus, as the piston 46 moves outwardly in thettube 42, it drives the transport and metering sprocket, and through thetransport and metering sprocket drives the take-up spool, to take up thefilm.

rThe piston 46 is moved outwardly on its power stroke by gas pressure.It is moved in the opposite direction on its return stroke by thenegator spring 98, which is secured at one end by means of a stud 103 toa downwardly bent arm portion 97 of the bracket 37, and which is securedat its opposite end by means of a stud 95 to the outer end of the piston46. A slot 96 is provided in the piston to receive the inner end of thespring 98.

For supply of the compressed air or other gas to the tube or cylinder 42to etect outward movement of the piston 46 there is a port or duct 36provided in the wall of the housing 10. This port leads from housing 10into a chamber 34, which is of somewhat larger diameter than the port 36(FIGS. 2 and 3). 'Ihis chamber 34 in turn communicates with a stilllarger diameter valve chamber 32.

Threaded into the outer end of the valve chamber 32 is a valve 50, thatis formed within the chamber 32 with a cross duct 66 that extendsdiametrally through the valve. Between this cross duct 66 and its outerend the valve is formed with a peripheral groove, in which there ismounted an O-ring 67. The valve is of reduced diameter adjacent itsinner end 50 and at the opposite side of cross duct 66, to provide asecond peripheral recess in which another O-ring 69 is mounted. Thislatter O- ring seats against the shoulder formed at the juncture of thechambers 32 and 34.

Threaded into the outer end of the valve 50 to project inwardlythereinto is` a bleeder sleeve 72. This sleeve serves to seat an O-ring74 against the shoulder 60 formed internally in the valve. The valve 50has a bore portion 62 of very small diameter leading from its inner endoutwardly. This bore portion communicates with an aligned bore portion58 of larger diameter, and this bore portion 58 communicates, in turn,with the bore of the bleeder sleeve 72.

Mounted to reciprocate in the bore of the bleeder sleeve 72 and in theaxially aligned bore 58 of the valve 50 is a valve rod 77. The portion79 of the valve rod, which projects into bore 58, is of reduced diameteras compared with the main portion 7S of the valve rod; and the twoportions are connected by -a conical portion 75 which in itselfconstitutes a valve.

Mounted to reciprocate in the reduced diameter bore portion 62 of thevalve Sti is a needle valve 64, which engages at its outer end in aconcave V-shaped recess in the inner end of the valve rod 77, and whichis secured at its inner end in a plug 61. The plug 61 is constantlyurged toward engagement with the inner face of the valve 50 by a coilspring S2, which is interposed between the inner end of the plug 61 andthe inner end of thechamber 34.

The chamber 32 of the Valve 50 is connected, approximately opposite thecross duct 66, by a duct 48, with a recess 40 in lateral extension 26that forms the inner end of cylinder 42. Duct 48 is drilled into thelateral extension 26 of housing 10, and is closed at its outer end by aplug 49 that threads into this extension. At the inner end of itsmovement piston 46 stops short of the inner end of recess 40 so thatsome space is provided between the inner end of the tube 42 and thepiston in its innermost position, to permit the compressed gas to actagainst the inner end of the piston.

The valve rod 77 is constantly urged outwardly by a coil spring 81 whichsurrounds the external portion of the rod, and which is interposedbetween the outer face of the bleeder sleeve 72 and a nut 80 that isthreaded on a threaded extension 71 of the valve rod. This threadedextension 71 threads into a slider 68, and serves to secure the valverod rigidly to the slider. Sliding movement of the slider is limited bya stud 70 which is fixed in bracket 37 and which engages in a key slot73 in the slider.

Opening of the valve plug 61 against the resistance of gas pressure andsprings 52 and 81 is effected by counterclockwise movement of thebell-crank 82 from the position shown in FIG. 1. This bell-crank ispivotally mounted by means of a stud 21 on a tank 54 (FIG. 4) which isstruck up from the bracket 37. The bellcrank 82 is formed with arms 85and 86 and with a tail 87. The arm 86 extends downwardly substantiallyat right angles to the arm 85, and its end normally rests along the sideof the notch 84 in the slide 68, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thetail 87 of the bell-crank is adapted to engage against the upper surfaceof the bracket 37 to serve as a stop to limit the angular movement ofthe bell-crank 82 in a clockwise direction. A coil spring 89, whichsurrounds the stud 21, and which engages at one end against a ledge 85'(FIG. l) on the arm 85 of the bell-crank 82 and at its opposite endagainst the bracket 37, serves to urge this bell-crank constantly in aclockwise direction about the stud 21, as viewed in FIG. 1, to hold theledge or flange 85 in engagement with the shutter release rod 88. Thespring 89 acts not only constantly to urge the bell-crank 82 in aclockwise direction, but also operates, when placed under tension, tourge the bell-crank axially to the right in FIG. 4.

The shutter release rod 88 may be of conventional construction to trip,on movement downwardly, the shutter-actuating mechanism of the camera.The release rod has a lug 102 (FIG. l) at one side thereof positioned toengage and trip the shutter release member 103 as the release rod ispushed downwardly.

The slider 68 has a second notch 84 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6) in it which isdisplaced laterally and longitudinally of the slider from notch 84'.When the bell-crank 82 is rocked counterclockwise about its pivot stud21 against the resistance of spring 89 by downward movement of releaserod 88, the arm 86 of the bell crank slides along the side of notch 84(FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) until it clears this notch. Thus it snaps into notch84 under the axial pressure exerted by spring 89. The position of arm 86at this instant is shown in FIG. 5.

When the release rod 88 is released by the photographer, spring 89 rocksthe bell-crank clockwise. This causes the arm 86 of the bell-crank,which is now engaged against the lateral shoulder, that is formed onslider 68 by notch 84, to force the slider 68, valve rod 77, needlevalve 62 and valve plug 61 to the left from the positions shown in FIG.2 to the positions shown in FIG. 3. This opens up the line to permitflow of the compressed air or other gas from housing through port 36,chamber 34, and ducts 62, 66, and 48 into the left hand end of 6cylinder 42, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, forcing the piston 46 to theright, driving sprocket 31 through gearing 94, 99, 100, and one-wayclutch 27, and `driving take-up spool 35 through gearing 43, 19 andfriction clutch 33 to transport the lilm, and driving the shuttercooking mechanism through gearing 47, 55, 57, 59 to cock the shutter.

To disengage the arm 86 of the bell-crank 82 from the notch 84 in slider68 at the end of the power stroke of the piston 46, a second bell-crank83 is provided. The bell-crank 83 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is pivotally mountedby means of a stud 23 on the bracket 37 for rotation about an axis atright angles to the axis of rotation of bellcrank 82. One arm 91 (FIGS.2, 3 and 6) of the bellcrank 83 is positioned so that it will be struckand rocked by the pin 95, which is mounted in the outer end of thepiston 46, when the piston moves on its power stroke from the positionshown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 3. Another arm of this bell-crank83 is positioned to engage the arm 86 of the bell-crank 82. When pin 95strikes arm 91 of bell-crank 83, this bell-crank will be rockedclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 3.This will kick the arm 86 of bellcrank 82 out of notch 84 in slider 68(as shown in FIG. 3). Gas pressure and springs 63 and 81 will then closevalve plug 61, and through needle valve 62 and valve rod 77 will openbleeder slot '76. Supply of compressed air or gas to the cylinder 42will then cease, and instead the left hand end (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and3) of cylinder 42 will be put on exhaust to atmosphere through ducts 48,66, 58 and channel or groove 76 in bleeder 72. Immediately then spring98 will return the piston 46 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to thatshown in FIG. 2. The cycle Will be complete. The tail 92 of thebell-crank 83 is adapted to engage the downturned portion of the bracket37 to limit the movement of the bell-crank 83 in a counter clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 3.

For another picture-taking operation, the release rod 88 is againmanually depressed, and the cycle proceeds as described above. Ondownward movement of release rod S8, the shutter is tripped; and thefilm-transport mechanism is triggered. As soon as the rod 88 is releasedby the photographer, the hlm-transport and shutter cooking mechanismsare actuated as above described.

To prevent retrograde movement of the transport and metering sprocket 31and of take-up spool 35 during any return movement of piston 46, aratchet wheel and pawl 107 (FIG. 1) are provided. The ratchet wheel 105is secured to the shaft 45 of the sprocket 31; and the pawl 107 isdisposed in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel so as topermit rotation of the wheel with the sprocket during film transport,but to prevent retrograde movement of the sprocket.

In an ordinary cartridge 16 there may be a sutlicient charge ofcompressed air or other gas to complete as many as two hundredpicture-taking cycles. Thus, several rolls of lm may be used up beforethe supply of gas in cartridge 16 is exhausted. An interlock may beprovided through the counter mechanism of the camera to preventdepression of release rod 88 when the gas in the cartridge 16 is usedup.

After all the film F on a roll has been exposed, the film has to berewound into the film cartridge or cassette 30 (FIG. l) by rotation ofrewind knob 12. To permit rewinding of the iilm, the rod 106 is rockedabout its axis to disengage pawl 107 from ratchet wheel 105.

The operation of the mechanism will be understood from the precedingdescription, but may be briefly summed up here.

When a picture is to be taken, the release rod 88 is pushed downward, inFIG. l, to rock the bell-crank 82 counterclockwise. As the bell-crank 82is rotated, the actuating spring 89 is compressed, and the arm 86 of thebell-crank 82 is moved from its at-rest position (shown in FIG. 2) innotch 84 into notch 84 of slider 68, as shown in FIG. 5. While therelease rod 88 is held depressed, the bell-crank S2 is held immobile,and the arm S6 is also immobile.

When the exposure has been completed, and the release rod 88 has beenreleased, the actuating spring 89 will rotate the bell-crank 82 in aclockwise direction, forcing the slider 68, valve rod 77, needle valve62, and valve plug 61 to the left, to the positions shown in FIG. 3. Asthe valve rod 77 moves to the left, the portion 78 thereof inconjunction with the O-ring 74 seals off communication between the duct58 and atmosphere. When the plug 61 is opened, compressed gas flows fromthe housing i6, through duct 36, chamber 34, ducts 62, 66, and 4S intocylinder 42. This forces the piston i6 to the right from the positionshown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 3. As the piston travels to theright, the rack 94 rotates gear 99, which drives the film transportmechanism, and the piston return spring 98 is compressed.

As the piston approaches the end of its power stroke, the stud 95engages the arm 91 of the bell-crank 83, rocking the bell-crank S3clockwise. This causes the arm it@ of the bell-crank 33 to kick the arm86 of the bell-crank 82 tout of the notch 84 in the slide 68, into thenotch 84 again, as shown in FG. 3. The springs S1 and 63 thereuponexpand to force the Valve rod 77 and the valve plug 61 to the right.

As the valve rod 77 moves to the right, the portion 7S of the valve rodis withdrawn from engagement with the O-ring 74, to the position shownin FIG. 2, to permit eX- haust of the pressure fluid from the cylinder42 through the ducts 48, 66, and 58, and the bleeder slot 76 toatmosphere. Simultaneously, the plug 61 closes, stopping flow of gasfrom the housing 10.

The piston return spring 98 thereupon forces the piston 46 to the leftto reset the mechanism.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable ofmodification. Thus, for eX- ample, while it is preferred that thecompressed gas be obtained from replaceable gas cartridges, a reiillablegas chamber forming a permanent part of the camera might instead beemployed. Moreover, the gas chamber can be constructed so that the gascartridge can be stored in the hollow core of a roll of film. Then, thecartridge can be inserted into the camera simultaneously with the rollof film, to insure that there will always be an .adequate supply of gasunder pressure.

Further, while the piston has been shown as moved in one direction by aspring, it is within the contemplation of the invention to move it inboth directions by gas pressure, suitable valving, of course, then beingprovided for such operation.

Still further, while the piston has been described as driving themetering sprocket through gearing, it might be used instead to cock aspring which would do the Work for one cycle of film transport andshutter cocking.

While the invention has been described, therefore, in connection with aspecific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable offurther modification, and this application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim is:

l. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of meansfor rotating said spool to transport film comprising a cylinder, apiston reciprocable therein, a duct for supplying a pressure tiuid toone end of said piston to move said piston in one direction, -a valvemovable between open and closed positions to control the periods ofsupply of the pressure fluid, manually positionable means for movingsaid valve to open position, and means operable by said piston to movesaid valve to closed position.

2. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of astorage chamber for compressed gas, and means for rotating said spoolcomprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a duct connectingsaid chamber with one end of said cylinder, and a valve movable in saidduct between open and closed positions to control iiow of gas throughsaid duct.

3. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of astorage chamber for compressed gas, and means for rotating said spoolcomprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a firstduct connected to said chamber, a second duct connected with one end ofsaid cylinder, a third duct connected to atmosphere, a valve movablefrom a first position, in which the first and second ducts are connectedto supply gas to said one end of said cylinder to move said position inone direction in said cylinder, to a :second position in which thesecond and third ducts are connected, a spring for moving said piston inthe opposite direction in said cylinder, manually positionable means formoving said valve to its lirst position, and means operable by saidpiston on its movement in said one direction in said cylinder to movesaid valve to its said second position.

4. The combination with a camera having a shutter, a rotary take-upspool, and shutter-cocking mechanism, of means for rotating said spooland actuating said shutter cooking mechanism comprising a storagechamber for compressed gas, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in saidcylinder, a first duct connected to said chamber, a second ductconnected to one end of said cylinder, and a movable valve forcontrolling connection and disconnection of said ducts.

5. The combination with a camera having a shutter, a rotary take-upspool, and shutter-cooking mechanism, of means for rotating said spooland actuating said shutter-cooking mechanism comprising a storagechamber for compressed gas, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in saidcylinder, a first duct connected to said chamber, a second ductconnected to one end of said cylinder, a movable valve for controllingconnection and disconnection of said ducts, a valve-actuating member,said valve-actuating member being movable from an inoperative to anoperative position, said valve-actuating member when in operativeposition being operative to move said valve in the direction to connectsaid ducts, a manually movable release member movable in one directionto release said shutter and to move said valve-actuating member tooperative position, and means operated by said piston for moving saidvalve to the position to disconnect said ducts.

6. The combination with a camera having a manually operable releasemember, of a storage chamber for gas under pressure, a cylinder, apiston reciprocable therein, means operable by said release member toadmit gas from said chamber to one end of Vsaid cylinder to move saidpiston in one direction froman at-rest position, spring means mountedconstantly to urge said piston in the opposite direction, means operableby said piston on movement in said one direction to advance film in saidcamera, and means operable by said piston after movement thereof througha predetermined distance in said one direction in said cylinder to stopthe ow of gas to said one end of said cylinder and to permit the escapeof said gas therefrom, to permit said spring means to return said pistonto its at-rest position.

7. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of acylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means constantly urging saidpiston in one direction in said cylinder, a storage chamber for gasunder pressure, a valve movable to connect in a first position thereofone end of said cylinder with said storage chamber to apply gas underpressure to said piston to move said piston in said cylinder in theopposite direction, said valve in a second position thereof connectingsaid one end of said cylinder with atmosphere, a sliding member mountedto shift said valve from said first position to said second position andhaving a recess therein, first spring means mounted constantly to urgesaid sliding member in a direction to move said valve to its said secondposition, a bell crank mounted for limited pivotal movement and formedwith a pair of arms, one of which is adapted to engage in said recess, amanually-operable member mounted to engage against the other arm of saidbell crank to rotate said bell crank to engage said one arm thereof insaid recess, second spning means mounted constantly to urge said bellcrank to rotate in a direction to move said sliding member in adirection to move said valve to its said first position, meansoperatively connecting said piston to said spool to rotate said spool totransport the film in said camera on movement of said piston in saidopposite direction, and means operable after movement of said piston apredetermined distance in said opposite direction to disengage said onearm from said recess to permit said first spring means to move saidsliding member to shift said valve to its said second position.

8. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of acylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means constantly urging saidpiston in one direction in said cylinder, a storage chamber for gasunder pressure, means including a valve connecting one end of saidcylinder with said chamber to apply gas under pressure to said piston tomove it in said cylinder in the opposite direction, a sliding membermovable in opposite directions to open and close said valve,respectively, and having a recess therein, a first spring constantlyurging said member in a direction to close said valve, a bell crankmounted for limited pivotal movement and formed With a pair of arms, oneof which is adapted to engage in said recess, a second double-actingspring operatively connected to said bell crank and operable to urgesaid bell crank constantly 1in one direction about its pivotal axis andin one direction axially of said axis, a manually-operable membermounted to engage against the other arm of said bell crank to rotatesaid bell crank to permit said second spring to engage its said one armin said recess, said second spring being of greater power than saidfirst spring and operable, When said one arm is engaged in said recessto urge said sliding member in the direction to open said valve, meansoperatively connected to said piston and `operable upon movement of saidpiston in said opposite direction to transport the film in the camera,and means operable after movement of said pisto-n a predetermineddistance in said opposite direction to discharge gas from said cylinderand to disengage said one arm from said recess to permit said firstspring means to move said sliding member t close said valve.

9. The combination with a camera having a rotary take-up spool, of acylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means constantly urging saidpiston in one direction in said cylinder, a storage chamber for gasunder pressure, a valve movable to connect in a first position thereofone end of said cylinder with said chamber to apply gas under pressureto said piston to move it in said cylinder in the opposite direction,said valve in a second position thereof connecting said one end of saidcylinder with atmosphere, a slide member mounted to shift said valvefrom said one position to said second position and having a recesstherein, a first spring mounted constantly to urge said slide member inthe direction to move said valve to its said second position, a firstbell crank mounted for limited pivotal movement and formed with a pairof arms, one of which is adapted to engage in said recess, amanually-operable member actuatable to engage against the other arm ofsaid bell crank to rotate said crank to engage said one arm in saidrecess, a second double-acting coil spring operatively connected to saidbell crank and constantly urging said bellcrank in one direction aboutand in one direction axially of its pivotal axis, said second springbeing of greater power than said first spring and operable, when saidone arm is engaged in said recess, constantly to urge said bell crank,in the direction to move said sliding member to move said valve to itssaid first position, means operatively connected to said piston andoperable upon movement of said piston in said opposite direction torotate said spool to advance the film in the camera, and a second bellcrank mounted for limited pivotal movement about an axis angularlydisposed to the pivotal axis of said rst bellcrank and formed with apair of arms, one of which is mounted to be engaged by said piston aftermovement of said piston a predetermined distance in said oppositedirection and the other of which is mounted to engage against said onearm of said first bell crank to disengage said one arm of said firstbellcrank from said recess upon rotation of said second bellcrank bysaid piston, whereby after movement of said piston a predetermineddistance in said opposite direction in said cylinder, said second bellcrank disengages said first bell crank from said recess to release saidslide member to permit said first spring to move said slide member toshift said valve to its said second position.

10. The combination with a camera having a shutter, and a rotary take-upspool, of a storage chamber for compressed gas, means for rotating saidspool comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, meansconstantly urging said piston in one direction in said cylinder, a firstduct connected to said chamber, a second duct connected to one end ofsaid cylinder, a movable valve for controlling connection anddisconnection of said ducts, said ducts when connected serving to supplycompressed gas from said chamber to one end of said cylinder to movesaid piston in the opposite direction in said cylinder, means connectedto said piston for rotating said take-up spool to transport film in thecamera on movement of said piston in said opposite direction, aspring-actuated member movable from an inoperative position to anoperative position to move said valve to the position in which saidducts are connected, and a manually-operable release member for saidshutter movable in one direction to trip said shutter and to move saidspring-actuated member to operative position, said manually-operablerelease member being operatively connected to said springactuated memberso that said spring-actuated member cannot operate, though in operativeposition, until said release member is moved in the direction oppositeto the direction of its shutter-tripping movement.

1l. The combination with a camera having a shutter, cockable means foractuating said shutter, and a rotary take-up spool, of duid-pressureoperated means for rotating said spool to transport film, a valve forcontrolling supply of the pressure duid to said fluid-pressure operatedmeans, said valve, when open, permitting flow of the pressure fiuid tosaid fluid-pressure operated means to actuate the same, a first membermovable from an inoperative position to an operative position in whichto open said valve, a spring for constantly urging said member toinoperative position, and a manually-movable shutter release membermovable in one direction to trip said cockable means and to move saidfirst member into operative position, said release member loperating toprevent said first member from operating so long as said release memberis manually held against return movement in the opposite direction.

12. The combination with a camera having a shutter, cockable means foractuating said shutter, a releasable member for normally holding saidcockable means against operation, and a rotary take-up spool, of amovable fiuidpressure operated member for rotating said spool totransport film and for cocking said cockable means, a valve forcontrolling supply of the pressure fluid to said fluid- -pressureoperated member, said valve when open permitting Itlow of the pressurefluid to said fluid-pressure operated member to move the same in adirection to effect Elm-transporting rotation of said spool and coekingof said cockable means, an element movable from an inoperative positioninto 'operative relation With said valve, a spring operatively connectedto said element constantly to urge said element to its inoperativeposition, said spring being operative when said element is in operativeposition to cause said element to move said valve to open position, anda manually-movable shutter release member movable in one direction froman initial position to trip said releasable member and to engage saidelement to move said element to operative position, said release memberoperating to prevent said spring from returning said element toinoperative position as long as said release member is manually held atthe limit of its movement in said one direction, and said springoperating to return said release member to initial position when saidrelease member is released.

13. A camera having a casing, a shutter movably mounted in said casing,a part movably mounted in said casing, fluid-pressure operated meansmounted in said casing 4for actuating said part including a cylinder, apiston movable in said cylinder, means operatively connecting saidpiston to said part to move said part on movement of said pistonrelative to said cylinder, a container mounted in said casing andadapted to hold a supply of gas under pressure, a valve mounted in saidcasing and controlling ow of gas from said container to said cylinder,triggering means for said shutter mounted on said casing, meansconnecting said triggering means to said valve to open said valve uponactuation of said triggering means, a film transport mechanism mountedin said casing, and in which `said part is operatively connected to saidlm transport mechanism to operate said film transport mechanism whensaid triggering means is actuated.

14. A camera as claimed in claim 13 having means for connecting said lmtransport mechanism to said shutter to cock said shutter duringtransport of the film.

15. A camera as claimed in claim 13 having a shuttercocking mechanism,and in which said piston is connected 'operatively to saidshutter-cocking mechanism to cock said shutter during transport of thefilm.

16. A camera as claimed in claim 13 having means for actuating theshutter, and means interlocking the shutter actuating means with thefilm transport mechanism to prevent operation of the lm transportmechanism While the shutter is open.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,083,734 Johnson Jan. 6, 1914 2,107,074 Hineline Feb. l, 1938 2,940,438Merz .lune 14, 1960

4. THE COMBINATION WITH A CAMERA HAVING A SHUTTER, A ROTARY TAKE-UPSPOOL, AND SHUTTER-COCKING MECHANISM, OF MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SPOOLAND ACTUATING SAID SHUTTER COCKING MECHANISM COMPRISING A STORAGECHAMBER FOR COMPRESSED GAS, A CYLINDER, A PISTON RECIPROCABLE IN SAIDCYLINDER, A FIRST DUCT CONNECTED TO SAID CHAMBER, A SECOND DUCTCONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID CYLINDER, AND A MOVABLE VALVE FORCONTROLLING CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION OF SAID DUCTS.